The opioid epidemic is one of the largest public health crises in modern history. First-responders, emergency room personnel, and overdose observation units encounter drug overdose patients under varying degrees of sedation and physiological distress. The time course of drug effects, and the dosing requirements of reversal medications, can be difficult if not impossible to gauge, given the different potencies of opioids that could be in effect, and the unknown drug sensitivity of individual drug users. The goal of this project is to characterize the EEG signatures of fentanyl in humans, and their relationship with states of unconsciousness and systemic physiology. We propose to do so within the highly controlled confines of the operating room, where fentanyl is routinely administered general anesthesia. In doing so, we aim to construct a clinical and quantitative neurophysiological basis for fentanyl's effects that can be used to develop new monitors to improve care of opioid overdose patients.

Public Health Relevance

In this project, we propose to characterize the EEG signatures of fentanyl in patients, in the highly controlled confines of the operating room, where fentanyl is routinely administered for general anesthesia. Our goal is to understand the relationships between EEG oscillations and the state of fentanyl-induced unconsciousness, to help develop new monitors to improve care of opioid overdose patients.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)
Type
Exploratory/Developmental Grants (R21)
Project #
5R21DA048323-02
Application #
9894778
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1)
Program Officer
Bough, Kristopher J
Project Start
2019-04-01
Project End
2021-03-31
Budget Start
2020-04-01
Budget End
2021-03-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2020
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts General Hospital
Department
Type
DUNS #
073130411
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02114